After initially being charged with two felony counts of second-degree sexual assault, Republican State Rep. Bill Kramer (pictured, right) has agreed to plead no contest to reduced charges of two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. In exchange for his plea, Rep. Kramer will get a receive leniency in the form of a recommendation from the District Attorney’s office of three years of probation and the accompanying conditions of probation, including just nine months in jail with work-release privileges. It’s worth noting that with good behavior, that nine months is jail will likely be more like 6 months in jail. What’s more, as a part of the sweet plea deal Rep. Kramer worked out with District Attorney Brad Schimel’s office, Kramer will not have to register as a sex offender, which to me is the really galling thing about the plea deal.

In avoiding a felony conviction, the plea deal Rep. Kramer worked out with DA Schimel’s office will allow Kramer to remain in office through the end of his term in the State Assembly, which ends in January 2015.

You may remember Rep. Kramer was charged earlier this year with two felony counts of second-degree sexual assault after it was alleged that in 2011 he shoved a woman into a car, tried to kiss her, touched her indecently and made inappropriate comments to her outside a Republican Party event at a Muskego tavern. At the time he was charged, Rep. Kramer vehemently asserted his innocence, with his attorney stating Kramer was “confident that he will be exonerated.” While Kramer was not exonerated, it certainly seems like he got a pretty good plea deal from DA Brad Schimel’s office, especially considering the fact that Kramer will not be required to register as a sex offender despite having committed sex offenses.

The two felony charges were based on Kramer’s sexual behavior with the woman. Why wasn’t this prosecuted in the same way as anyone else who had these charges? We’re supposed to believe now it was all about his drinking problem? We’re supposed to feel sorry for Kramer for all the disruption this has brought upon his personal life?!
And he uses his campaign fund to pay for his defense lawyer, no questions asked.
Wisconsin’s justice system is way out of whack.
I wonder what the woman victim in this case thinks. The MJS has nothing to say on that matter.